1.Development of an artificial intelligence-based automatic MRI scoring model for extramural vascular invasion in rectal cancer and its prognostic value
Haitao HUANG ; Yunrui YE ; Lifen YAN ; Yanfen CUI ; Lili FENG ; Huifen YE ; Yulin LIU ; Ying ZHU ; Zhongwei CHEN ; Zhenhui LI ; Ke ZHAO ; Zaiyi LIU ; Changhong LIANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(11):1267-1274
Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.
2.Development of an artificial intelligence-based automatic MRI scoring model for extramural vascular invasion in rectal cancer and its prognostic value
Haitao HUANG ; Yunrui YE ; Lifen YAN ; Yanfen CUI ; Lili FENG ; Huifen YE ; Yulin LIU ; Ying ZHU ; Zhongwei CHEN ; Zhenhui LI ; Ke ZHAO ; Zaiyi LIU ; Changhong LIANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(11):1267-1274
Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.
3.Value of tumor volume to uterine volume ratio combined with serum AFP, CA199, HE4 expression in evaluating pathological grade and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma
Chengxiang HUANG ; Cui LI ; Haitang ZHANG ; Yujuan LI ; Yanfen DAI ; Hongyun LIU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):589-594
Objective:To investigate the value of tumor volume to uterine volume ratio (N/U) combined with the expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), sugar antigen 199 (CA199) and human epididymal secretory protein 4 (HE4) in evaluating the pathologic grade and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma (EC) .Methods:A total of 160 EC patients admitted to Linyi Central Hospital from Jan. 2021 to Dec. 2023 were divided into low-grade group and high-grade group according to FIGO grading method, and were divided into poor prognosis group and good prognosis group according to cancer death, recrudescence. The levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in patients with different pathologic grades and prognosis were compared. COX regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of EC adverse prognosis, ROC curve was used to analyze the value of N/U combined with serum AFP, CA199 and HE4 in predicting EC adverse prognosis, and a nomogram model was constructed.Results:Pathological examination of 160 EC patients showed that 12 cases were non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 148 cases were endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 41 cases were high-grade and 119 cases were low-grade.According to the follow-up, 94 of the 160 EC patients had good prognosis and 66 had poor prognosis. The levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group ( P<0.05). COX regression analysis showed that high levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 were all factors affecting the poor prognosis of EC patients ( P<0.05). The AUC value of combined detection of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in predicting adverse prognosis of EC patients was higher than that of single detection ( Z=3.140, 3.658, 4.277, 4.378, P<0.05) .The ROC curve AUC (95% CI) of the training set and the validation set were 0.84 (0.77-0.92) and 0.90 (0.81-0.98) respectively for the training set and the validation set to predict the adverse prognosis of EC patients. Calibration curve results showed that the calibration curve for EC patients predicted by the nomogram model was close to the ideal curve ( P=0.521, 0.743). The DCA curve shows that the probability threshold of the nomogram model has a higher positive net return at 20%~100%. Conclusion:The levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in EC patients are related to the pathologic grade, and the combined detection of these indicators can predict the poor prognosis of EC patients, and the nomogram model constructed based on these indicators has high predictive value.
4.Study on the temporal expression of growth differentiation factor-15 and its mortality prognostic implications in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Bo PAN ; Weiyi MA ; Meng WANG ; Yanfen CHAI ; Songtao SHOU ; Xianfa LIU ; Yanhong OUYANG ; Jingjing HUANG ; Xinhuan DING ; Maolin XU ; Yawen PENG ; Haiyan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(8):1098-1105
Objective:To investigate the temporal expression of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF15) in the serum of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and explore the clinical significance of GDF15 in protecting cardiomyocytes in ACS.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 289 ACS patients admitted to the emergency departments from February to October 2023. Data on gender, age, troponin T (TnT), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), GDF15, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) within 30 minutes of admission were recorded. Differences in these indicators among different groups were compared. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of GDF15, TnT, and BNP for ACS. Among the patients, 15 exhibited a temporal expression pattern of GDF15, and their blood samples were re-measured using a GDF15 fluorescent quantitative immunochromatographic assay kit. Fifteen patients without temporal expression were randomly selected as controls, and their samples were also re-measured to exclude detection errors. Fifteen patients with temporal expression were included in the temporal expression group, and 15 without temporal expression were included in the non-temporal expression group. Laboratory indicators such as fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, creatinine, and uric acid were compared between the groups. Additionally, patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), coronary angiography results, echocardiography, Gensini score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and GRACE risk score were recorded to assess their correlation with GDF15 temporal expression. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27 software, with continuous data expressed as mean ± standard deviation (Mean ± SD) and compared using t-tests and χ2 tests. Results:The overall trend in ACS patients showed a higher proportion of males than females (73.36% vs. 26.64%). The oldest group was the Unstable Angina (UA) group, with a mean age of (63.98 ± 15.19) years, while the youngest group was the non-ACS chest pain group, with a mean age of (54.29 ± 16.39) years. A higher proportion of patients in the UA, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) groups had a history of smoking. The combination of GDF15 and TnT showed high diagnostic value for ACS, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.843, consistent with previous studies. Among all ACS patients, 15 exhibited a temporal expression pattern of GDF15, where GDF15 levels peaked at 4 hours, gradually decreased, and peaked again at 24 hours. Patients in the temporal expression group had higher LVEF and left ventricular end-systolic diameter compared to the non-temporal expression group. The Gensini score was lower in the temporal expression group, and the GRACE risk score was significantly lower in the temporal expression group (00.7±14.72) compared to the non-temporal expression group (116.1±23.46), with a statistically significant difference ( P = 0.0115). There were no significant differences in general characteristics (age, gender, BMI) or clinical biochemical indicators (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, creatinine, uric acid) between the temporal and non-temporal expression groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:GDF15 demonstrates significant diagnostic and prognostic predictive value in ACS. Patients with temporally dynamic expression of serum GDF15 exhibit milder myocardial injury and a lower probability of mortality. These findings provide novel therapeutic targets and research directions for further exploring the role of GDF15 in ACS management.
5.Value of tumor volume to uterine volume ratio combined with serum AFP, CA199, HE4 expression in evaluating pathological grade and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma
Chengxiang HUANG ; Cui LI ; Haitang ZHANG ; Yujuan LI ; Yanfen DAI ; Hongyun LIU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):589-594
Objective:To investigate the value of tumor volume to uterine volume ratio (N/U) combined with the expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), sugar antigen 199 (CA199) and human epididymal secretory protein 4 (HE4) in evaluating the pathologic grade and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma (EC) .Methods:A total of 160 EC patients admitted to Linyi Central Hospital from Jan. 2021 to Dec. 2023 were divided into low-grade group and high-grade group according to FIGO grading method, and were divided into poor prognosis group and good prognosis group according to cancer death, recrudescence. The levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in patients with different pathologic grades and prognosis were compared. COX regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of EC adverse prognosis, ROC curve was used to analyze the value of N/U combined with serum AFP, CA199 and HE4 in predicting EC adverse prognosis, and a nomogram model was constructed.Results:Pathological examination of 160 EC patients showed that 12 cases were non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 148 cases were endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 41 cases were high-grade and 119 cases were low-grade.According to the follow-up, 94 of the 160 EC patients had good prognosis and 66 had poor prognosis. The levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group ( P<0.05). COX regression analysis showed that high levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 were all factors affecting the poor prognosis of EC patients ( P<0.05). The AUC value of combined detection of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in predicting adverse prognosis of EC patients was higher than that of single detection ( Z=3.140, 3.658, 4.277, 4.378, P<0.05) .The ROC curve AUC (95% CI) of the training set and the validation set were 0.84 (0.77-0.92) and 0.90 (0.81-0.98) respectively for the training set and the validation set to predict the adverse prognosis of EC patients. Calibration curve results showed that the calibration curve for EC patients predicted by the nomogram model was close to the ideal curve ( P=0.521, 0.743). The DCA curve shows that the probability threshold of the nomogram model has a higher positive net return at 20%~100%. Conclusion:The levels of N/U, AFP, CA199 and HE4 in EC patients are related to the pathologic grade, and the combined detection of these indicators can predict the poor prognosis of EC patients, and the nomogram model constructed based on these indicators has high predictive value.
6.A qualitative study on the work experience among nutrition specialist nurses
Xiaowei XU ; Xiaoqiong PENG ; Yuying CHEN ; Yanfen LI ; Xiaoying LIN ; Ping XIAO ; Tianwen HUANG ; Shouzhen CHENG
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(3):48-54
Objective To explore the work experiences and needs of nutrition specialist nurses,so as to provide a basis in career development and management practices among the nutrition specialist nurses.Methods A method of descriptive phenomenological research was adopted in this study.Purposive sampling was used to select 12 nutrition specialist nurses who came from different regions across the country with over one year of clinical working experiences as well as had completed the specialist training and been qualified by the Nutrition Committee of Guangdong Nursing Association between January and February 2024.Semi-structured on-line interviews were conducted among the participants and the data acquired from the interviews were analysed and summarised.Themes were extracted using NVivo12 and Colaizzi's seven-step analysis from the data from interview.Results Three main themes and eight sub-themes were identified regarding the work experience of nutrition specialist nurses:growth and gains(continuously learning in nutrition therapy-related knowledge to enhance professional skills;actively practice in nutrition therapy to achieve the self-worth);sense of responsibility and mission(increased awareness of responsibility and proactive services;sense of mission to cultivate talents and promotion of the development of nutrition nursing discipline);challenges(lack of an established role in nutrition nursing,conflict in responsibilities;insufficient communication in a medical team regarding nutrition therapy;limited resource to support the development of nutrition nursing;and the professional knowledge and skills unable to fully meet the job demands).Conclusion Hospitals managers should strengthen the support and training for nutrition specialist nurses,clarify their roles,leverage their professional value and promote the career development.
7.Analysis on Formation Mechanism of Self-precipitation in Process of Compound Decoction of Famous Classical Formula Sinitang
Meihui LI ; Xi FENG ; Xinyu LUO ; Juehan ZHOU ; Yunya HUANG ; Shuhan LI ; Yanfen CHENG ; Shu FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):145-152
ObjectiveTo explore the main mechanism of self-precipitation formed during the decoction of Sinitang(SNT), and to provide a research basis for exploring the differences in the toxic and effective components of this compound. MethodsThe average precipitation yields of SNT, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(GRR)-Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(ALRP) decoction(GF), ALRP-Zingiberis Rhizoma(ZR) decoction(FJ), GRR-ZR decoction(GJD), ALRP decoction(FZ), ZR decoction(GJ) and GRR decoction(GC) were determined. The four main self-precipitation samples of SNT, GF, FZ and GC were physically characterized by particle size, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), pH, total dissolved solids(TDS), conductivity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) analysis. The chemical compositions of SNT decoction and its different phases was identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) for SNT, SNT self-precipitation and SNT supernatant, and the contents of its main toxic and effective components were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). ResultsPrecipitation yield results of the 7 samples of SNT decoction and single decoction showed that SNT had the highest self-precipitation yield. The formation of SNT self-precipitation was mainly related to the reaction between ALRP and GRR components to form complexes, and FT-IR showed that GRR had the greatest influence on the formation of self-precipitation. A total of 110 components were identified in the SNT decoction, including 100 components in the SNT self-precipitation and 106 components in the SNT supernatant. And quantitative results of the main toxic and effective components revealed that the reaction between ALRP and GRR components formed complexes, resulting in the following content hierarchy for free components:SNT decoctionsupernatantself-precipitation, these components included free liquiritin, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylaconitine, benzoylhypacoitine, liquiritigenin, aconitine, hypoaconitine, isoliquiritigenin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate. ConclusionSNT exhibits spontaneous precipitation during compound decoction, with GRR exerting the greatest influence on its formation. This suggests GRR plays a significant role in the detoxification of SNT. The differences in the self-precipitated toxic-effective components of SNT compound decoction primarily manifest as changes in component content, reflecting the characteristics of SNT "deposition in vitro and sustained release in vivo" and the importance of "administered at draught" in the clinical application of SNT.
8.A qualitative study on the work experience among nutrition specialist nurses
Xiaowei XU ; Xiaoqiong PENG ; Yuying CHEN ; Yanfen LI ; Xiaoying LIN ; Ping XIAO ; Tianwen HUANG ; Shouzhen CHENG
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(3):48-54
Objective To explore the work experiences and needs of nutrition specialist nurses,so as to provide a basis in career development and management practices among the nutrition specialist nurses.Methods A method of descriptive phenomenological research was adopted in this study.Purposive sampling was used to select 12 nutrition specialist nurses who came from different regions across the country with over one year of clinical working experiences as well as had completed the specialist training and been qualified by the Nutrition Committee of Guangdong Nursing Association between January and February 2024.Semi-structured on-line interviews were conducted among the participants and the data acquired from the interviews were analysed and summarised.Themes were extracted using NVivo12 and Colaizzi's seven-step analysis from the data from interview.Results Three main themes and eight sub-themes were identified regarding the work experience of nutrition specialist nurses:growth and gains(continuously learning in nutrition therapy-related knowledge to enhance professional skills;actively practice in nutrition therapy to achieve the self-worth);sense of responsibility and mission(increased awareness of responsibility and proactive services;sense of mission to cultivate talents and promotion of the development of nutrition nursing discipline);challenges(lack of an established role in nutrition nursing,conflict in responsibilities;insufficient communication in a medical team regarding nutrition therapy;limited resource to support the development of nutrition nursing;and the professional knowledge and skills unable to fully meet the job demands).Conclusion Hospitals managers should strengthen the support and training for nutrition specialist nurses,clarify their roles,leverage their professional value and promote the career development.
9.Application of family-community-hospital linked care in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Miaoling HUANG ; Yanxia MO ; Xiaodong ZHU ; Shubing ZHONG ; Yanfen LI ; Zimin DU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(23):132-135
Objective To explore the application effect of family-community-hospital linked care in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods A total of 118 patients with chronic hepatitis B were selected and randomly divided into control group and observation group using a random number table method, with 59 patients in each group. The control group received routine health education, while the observation group received family-community-hospital ternary linked care on the basis of the control group received family-community-hospital linked care. The social support, treatment adherence, quality of life, and fear of disease progression between the two groups were compared before intervention and 2 months after the intervention. Results Two months after the intervention, the scores of the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Treatment Adherence Scale for chronic hepatitis B patients, and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention, and the above scores were higher in the observation group than in those in the control group (
10.Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis in a newborn
Chao HUANG ; Yanfen PENG ; Junjian LYU ; Huilin NIU ; Qiuming HE ; Wei ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2023;26(10):865-868
This article reported a case of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) identified in the fetal stage and diagnosed at the neonatal stage. A routine ultrasound examination at 19 weeks of gestation showed multiple masses in the whole body of the fetus (involving neck, chest wall and armpit) complicated by pleural and peritoneal effusion. Shunting was performed to drain pleural effusion from the right chest in another hospital at 26 +5 weeks of gestation. The patient was born at 34 +3 weeks of gestation by cesarean section due to "intrauterine distress" and required invasive ventilator assisted ventilation support after birth because of respiratory distress. A large amount of hemorrhagic effusion was drained out during the shunting. Coagulation dysfunction and thrombocytopenia occurred on the 3rd day after birth and KLA was suspected. Empirical treatment with sirolimus turned out to be ineffective. Biopsy was taken on postnatal day 7. However, the patient died on the 12th day after birth due to respiratory and circulatory failure. Pathological findings obtained the day after death were consistent with the features of KLA. The diagnosis of KLA was confirmed based on the clinical manifestations and pathological results.


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